UN: Nearly 313,000 people displaced in Yemen since August

The renewed escalation of fighting between government forces and the Houthis in Yemen is making it harder for hundreds of thousands of people to access basic necessities. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), around 313,000 people have been forced to leave their homes since the beginning of August. Security concerns and disruption to transport routes are also making it harder to deliver aid to these families.

About 40% of displacement cases were recorded in Taiz governorate in the south-west, where fighting has intensified. Families in the region are struggling to access shelter, food and healthcare.

The UN Human Rights Office said 69 civilians had been killed and 212 injured during the same period. According to the office, children account for more than a third of the civilians killed and injured.

Food prices and transport obstacles deepen the crisis

According to a statement issued by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on 2 October, 18.3 million people in Yemen are experiencing acute food insecurity. A survey in areas accessible to the organisation found that 74% of households cannot meet their basic food needs. In addition to the fighting, rising food prices and difficulties delivering aid are increasing the pressure, particularly on displaced families.

According to WFP data, 2.2 million children under the age of five in the country are malnourished; around 500,000 of them are facing severe acute malnutrition.

Disruptions to healthcare and education

A UNICEF assessment dated 11 October said that only 98 health facilities in Taiz were operating partially or not operating at all. In neighbouring Lahij governorate, 85 schools were reported to have closed because of the fighting.

With support from UNICEF and the World Health Organization, Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population has launched a measles and rubella vaccination campaign covering around one million children in 11 governorates. The six-day campaign is being carried out by 2,291 fixed and mobile teams, aiming to reach children aged between 6 months and 5 years.

OCHA called on the parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, comply with international humanitarian law, and allow aid to be delivered safely, continuously and without obstruction. According to the UN’s 2026 assessments, more than 21 million people across Yemen are in need of humanitarian assistance.